Abdominal exercise device

ABSTRACT

An abdominal exercise device includes a collapsible support frame having first and second legs pivotally associated with one another. Non-rotating handles extend from the support frame. A seat is pivotally attached to the support frame between the handles. A bar of adjustable length extends from the seat to a foot rest. A cross-bar is attached to the support frame for limiting backward rotation of the seat, and thus the bar and foot rest. Abdominal muscles are exercised as the user repeatedly pivots the seat backwards and forward.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationserial No. 10/041,995, filed Jan. 10, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to exercise devices. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to an abdominal exercisedevice which can be used at home.

[0003] There exists a wide variety of exercise devices that provide acardiovascular or resistance exercise to various muscle groups the body.Among these there are known a variety of abdominal exercise devises. Inthe gym setting, these devices are large, cumbersome, often difficult tooperate, and relatively expensive.

[0004] While such devices are generally adequate in the gym setting dueto the large space available in such settings, such devices are notamiable to the household setting. For home use, the exercise device mustnot only be effective, but also compact and/or collapsible in order toeasily transport and store the exercise device. The exercise device mustalso be relatively simple in operation and inexpensive.

[0005] There exist a number of abdominal exercise devices intended foruse in the home setting. However, these devices have certain drawbacksin that they are not easily collapsible, or only exercise only a limitednumber of abdominal muscles. Some of these exercise devices placeunnecessary and dangerous strain and stress on the neck and back of theuser of the device. To avoid such strain and stress, the user should bepreferably seated in an upright position. Many of these devices are notadjustable to meet the individual size of the user.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a continuing need for an abdominal exercisedevice which is suited for home use. Such an abdominal exercise deviceshould be collapsible in order to be easily transported and stored. Suchan exercise devise should also be relatively simple in operation andinexpensive. Preferably, such an exercise device should be adjustable inorder to accommodate the size of the user of the device. The presentinvention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention resides in an abdominal exercise devicewhich overcomes the drawbacks and meets the needs described above. Theexercise device of the present invention generally comprises a seatpivotally attached to a support frame. A foot rest is associated withthe seat so as to pivot with the seat. A stop is associated with thesupport frame for limiting backward rotation of the seat as the usermoves forward and backward in order to exercise various abdominalmuscles.

[0008] Typically, the support frame comprises first and second legsangularly offset from one another to form an A-frame configuration in anextended state. The first and second legs are pivotally associated withone another so that the support frame is collapsible. Non-rotatinghandles extend upwardly from the support frame. The seat is attached tothe support frame between the handles. A bar extends from the seat tothe foot rest. The bar is preferably adjustable in length in order toaccommodate users of different sizes. The stop typically comprises across-bar attached to the support frame. In a particularly preferredembodiment, the cross-bar is attached to an upper portion to the secondleg below the seat.

[0009] In use, the user places his or her buttocks upon the seat. Theuser's feet are placed on the foot rest. The handles are grasped forpurposes of balancing and the user proceeds to lean backwards and thenpull forward, causing the seat, bar and foot rest to rotate with respectto the support frame. During this action, abdominal muscles areexercised.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following more detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In suchdrawings:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exercise device embodyingthe present invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a rear end side perspective view of the device of thepresent invention;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the device;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the exercise device;

[0016] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate a user positioned on the device andperforming abdominal exercises in accordance with the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 8 is a side elevational and schematic view of the device ofthe present invention, illustrating the device moved from an extendedin-use state to a folded and compact state; and

[0018]FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the device in a compactstate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] As shown in the accompanying drawings for purposes ofillustration, the present invention resides in an exercise device,generally referred to by the reference number 10. The device 10 isdesigned to exercise the abdominal muscles, but a user performingexercises using the present invention may actually exercise othermuscles, including the serratus muscles, the intercostal muscles, backmuscles, leg muscles, etc. Depending upon the duration and speed withwhich the exercises are performed, the exerciser may also obtain acardiovascular workout using the device of the present invention.However, the exercise device is primarily an abdominal exercise deviceintended to exercise the abdominal muscles.

[0020] With reference now to FIGS. 1-4, the device 10 includes a seat 12which is pivotal with respect to first and second legs 14 and 16. In aparticularly preferred embodiment, this seat is approximately one-footin width and approximately one and one-half feet in length, although theinvention is not limited to such. The seat 12 is typically comprised ofa wood or plastic base, or any other relatively inexpensive yet rigidmaterial, having a cushion positioned thereon and surrounded by a fabricmaterial which is preferably water resistant or waterproof.

[0021] A bar 18 in the form of square tubing extends from the seat 12forwardly to a foot rest 20. Typically, the square tube comprisesone-inch square type which is affixed by bracket plates 22 or the liketo a bottom surface of the seat 12. In a particularly preferredembodiment, the tubing 18 comprises an outer sheath 24 and an inner tube26 telescopically received within the sheath 24. This enables the bar 18to be extendable in a length to accommodate users of different height.The outer sheath or tube 24 preferably includes apertures 28 spaced fromone another in a series and sized to accept a spring-loaded pin or thelike. Other adjustment means which are well-known in the art may also beincorporated into the device 10 to adjust and fix the overall length ofthe bar 18.

[0022] The footrest 20, in a particularly preferred embodiment, iscomprised of two U-shaped members facing one another so as to create apartial oval member. The user can place his or heels upon the footrest20, or insert the foot into the feet into the footrest such that thesole of the foot rests upon the bottom portion of the footrest 20.

[0023] With particular reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a pivot bolt orpin 30 is used to pivotally anchor the first and second legs 14 and 16,and the seat bar 18. That is, the bar 18 is either welded or attached toa tube encircling the bolt 30. The first and second legs 14 and 16include apertures through which the bolt may extend, bushing which areattached to the bolt, etc., so as to be pivotally attached thereto. Asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first and second legs 14 and 16 extendoutward from one another so as to be angularly offset, and form agenerally A-frame configuration that constitutes a support frame orstable base. As will be described more fully herein, the legs 14 and 16,and the device 10 in general, is collapsible into a compact state fortransportation or storage.

[0024] A crossbar 32 is attached to an upper portion of the generallytriangular second leg member 16. However, the cross-bar 32 is spacedsomewhat from the top end of the second leg 16 so as to serve as a stopfor the seat 12. Typically, the crossbar 32 includes upwardly directedextensions 34 which support handles 36. Preferably, the handles 36 arecushioned to provide comfort for the user. The handles 36 may bedetachably received onto the crossbar extensions 34. The handles 36 andcrossbar 32 do not rotate.

[0025] In use, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, a user 38 places his or herfeet onto the foot rest 20 and his or her buttocks upon the uppersurface of the seat 12. The bar 18 may be adjusted in length so as tosuit the height of the user 38. The user grasps the handles 36 andrepetitively pivots the seat backwards and forwards so that the footrest20 is elevated and declined repeatedly. Repeating these motionsexercises various abdominal muscles. Preferably, the user only holds thehandles 36 for support in order to more effectively exercise theabdominal muscles. Upon tilting the seat 12 and footrest 20 rearwardly apredetermined amount, the seat 12, or the bar 18 underlying the seat 12,contacts the cross-bar 32, thus limiting the motion of the seat 12. Theuser then lowers the footrest 20 towards the ground and repeats thesemotions. It has been found that the placement of the buttocks upon theseat 12 varies the intensity of the workout. For example, if thebuttocks are placed at the lower most edge of the seat 12, a moreintensive workout is achieved than placing the buttocks upon the upperedge of the seat 12. It will be noted that the user 38 is seated in agenerally upright position. It has been found that such a positionreduces strain and stress on the lower back and neck of the user.

[0026] With reference now to FIGS. 8 and 9, upon finishing an exerciseregimen, the device 10 is collapsible for storage. Due to the fact thatthe legs 14 and 16 and seat 12 are pivotally attached to the pivot bolt30, the user merely needs to retract the footrest 20 towards the seat12, and lift the upper end of the device 10 such that the second leg 16pivots downwardly towards the first leg 14 until the second leg 16,first leg 14, and bar 18 are generally in the same plane and adjacent toone another. The seat 12 will automatically rotate into alignment withthe handles 36 so that the entire device 10 is generally planar andcompact in nature. In its compact state, the device 10 is no more than afew inches tall and approximately two feet in length. This enables thedevice 10 to be easily stored in a closet or underneath a couch or bedor the like. In its fully extended state, the device is perhaps threefeet tall and three to five feet in length. This enables the user toperform exercises in a relatively small area of a room. Due to itssimple design, the device 10 is relatively light weight. This enablesthe user to easily transport and store and use the device 10 in a homesetting.

[0027] Although an embodiment has been described in detail for purposesof illustration, various modifications may be made without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the inventionis not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An abdominal exercise device, comprising: asupport frame; a seat pivotally attached to the support frame; afootrest associated with the seat, wherein the footrest pivots with theseat; and a stop associated with the support frame for limiting backwardrotation of the seat.
 2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein thesupport frame is collapsible.
 3. The exercise device of claim 1, whereinthe support frame generally has an A-frame configuration in an extendedstate.
 4. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the support framecomprises first and second legs angularly offset from one another. 5.The exercise device of claim 4, wherein the first and second legs arepivotally associated with one another and collapsible.
 6. The exercisedevice of claim 1, including non-rotating handles extending from thesupport frame.
 7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the stopcomprises a crossbar attached to the support frame.
 8. The exercisedevice of claim 4, wherein the stop comprises a crossbar attached to anupper portion of the second leg below the seat.
 9. The exercise deviceof claim 1, including a bar extending from the seat to the footrest. 10.The exercise device of claim 9, wherein the bar is adjustable in length.11. An abdominal exercise device, comprising: a collapsible supportframe comprised of first and second legs angularly offset from oneanother in an extended state; non-rotating handles extending from thesupport frame; a seat pivotally attached to the support frame betweenthe handles; a bar extending from the seat and adjustable in length; afootrest attached to an end of the bar generally opposite the seat,wherein the footrest and bar pivot with the seat; and a stop attached tothe support frame for limiting backward rotation of the seat.
 12. Theexercise device of claim 11, wherein the first and second legs arepivotally associated with one another to form a generally A-frameconfiguration in an extended in use state.
 13. The exercise device ofclaim 11, wherein the stop comprises a cross-bar attached to the supportframe.
 14. The exercise device of claim 13, wherein the cross-bar isattached to an upper portion of the second leg below the seat.
 15. Anabdominal exercise device, comprising: a collapsible support framecomprised of first and second legs pivotally associated with one anotherto form a generally A-frame configuration in an extended in use state;non-rotating handles extending from the support frame; a seat pivotallyattached to the support frame between the handles; a bar extending fromthe seat and being adjustable in length; a footrest attached to an endof the bar generally opposite the seat, wherein the footrest and barpivot with the seat; and a cross-bar stop attached to an upper portionof the second leg below the seat for limiting backward rotation of theseat.